UNIQUE CHALLENGES IN CALIFORNIA'S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
As most developers and contractors in California know, building in the Golden State can present unique challenges. The state’s building industry is characterized by higher labor costs, dense urban cities, and high seismic factors, and like most of the country, it faces a shortage of skilled craft labor.

The stakes get higher when you factor in requirements set by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), formerly known as the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), which apply to all healthcare projects in the state. HCAI monitors the construction, renovation, and seismic safety of hospitals and skilled nursing facilities and sets a precedent for quality healthcare building projects at the highest level.

SUREPODS GAINS HCAI APPROVAL THROUGH THE PREFABRICATED COMPONENTS & SYSTEMS PROGRAM
SurePods marked a huge milestone last March when it became the first company and product to gain HCAI approval as part of its new Prefabricated Components and Systems program. Partnering with HCAI to work through the review process for this new program was no small task from an engineering perspective, and it included the nuances of off-construction site inspections, COVID-19 restrictions, and HCAI’s transition from OSHPD.

THE BENEFITS OF PREFABRICATION IN HEALTHCARE CONSTRUCTION
We’ve seen healthcare providers lead the pack in their utilization of prefabricated components in building projects, for good reason. Prefabrication can incorporate custom finishes and design elements while delivering more predictability in key project performance indicators. For providers looking to minimize disruptions and achieve faster speed-to-market, prefabrication can deliver results. For one, prefabricated components can be built sooner and concurrently with field activities, which helps save time on the project schedule. Building in a controlled factory setting safeguards against common external construction risk factors such as inclement weather, limited labor availability, and logistics, all with increased quality and safety.

The collective summary of these improvements and their real-time implementation will continue to drive this transition from field construction to field assembly until it becomes standard practice. That’s why SurePods prioritizes advanced prefabrication approaches in healthcare construction and beyond. Just as healthcare providers operate on the leading edge of their respective industries, SurePods also seek opportunities to drive construction forward and improve project delivery with greater efficiency and predictability. It’s part of a shared, ever-forward mentality of continuous self-initiated improvement and learning.